Economics Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Genes, philosophy: genes are the bearers of genetic information. Philosophically interesting is the discussion about which properties are genetically inherited and on which level genes are effective or on what level their distribution is influenced. See also evolution, Darwinism, selection, gene identity._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Colin McGinn on Genes - Dictionary of Arguments
I 235 McGinn: Genes have representation abilities without semantics. >Representation, >Semantics. Genes/McGinn: 2nd possibility: that it is less useful for the brain to develop a potential solution to our philosophical problems than it is for the genes (genetic code). Genetic Code/Genes/McGinn: contain principles encrypted by the genes Principles that go beyond the reach of human reason and yet answer some of the bewildered questions of reason? ((s) VsMcGinn: from all these arguments that it would be highly useful it does not follow that it is). Obviously, the genetic code is a rule for the construction of animal bodies including the brain and mind. >Brain, >Mind. I 228 Genes/McGinn: one of their most amazing features is the ability to store information. Likewise, the ability to copy the entire reproductive process. Errors occur only very rarely. That means that genes are virtually incapable of learning! Environmental changes lead to virtually no change in the construction rules for the next generation, no matter how disastrous they may be. Only random mutation. While the reason is a paragon of flexibility, genes are the culmination rigid behavior. >Behavior. I 229 McGinn: thesis: It could be that the genes (discussed above) have solved our philosophical problem, at least partially. Because firstly, they must have already solved the purely physical problems of the construction: i.e. they represent plans for the construction of the body, and secondly what is true of the body, also applies to the mind. As far as a mental feature is biologically sound, genes must contain instructions for building organisms with this feature. (Building consciousness, also the I, freedom of will, intentionality, all kinds of knowledge.) >Body, >Intentionality, >Existence, >Consciousness, >Knowledge._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
McGinn I Colin McGinn Problems in Philosophy. The Limits of Inquiry, Cambridge/MA 1993 German Edition: Die Grenzen vernünftigen Fragens Stuttgart 1996 McGinn II C. McGinn The Mysteriouy Flame. Conscious Minds in a Material World, New York 1999 German Edition: Wie kommt der Geist in die Materie? München 2001 |
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